Why Elections Matter

Drill, baby, drill.

Republicans have appointed Washington's Doc Hastings as chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee. That will make Hastings a key voice shaping federal policies on oil and gas drilling on public lands and offshore waters, mining, wildlife, fisheries, national parks and Native American affairs.

In 2009 Hastings received a score of zero from the League of Conservation Voters and has a lifetime rating of 96 from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

LINK (Via:The Seattle Times)

OIA Says Utah’s Reputation Damaged by Stream Access Bill

OIA President and CEO Frank Huglemeyer continues to bring the voice of the outdoor industry to bear on the stream access issue in Utah.

Governor Gary Herbert’s approval of a new law that will block access to streams running through private property has already damaged Utah’s reputation nationally as a welcoming place for those who enjoy the outdoors.  That’s according to Frank Hugelmeyer, President and CEO of the Outdoor Industry Association.  The organization sponsors the Outdoor Retailer Summer and Winter Markets, which bring tens of thousands of people to the Salt Palace each year. 

KCPW’s Jeff Robinson asked him about the consequences of House Bill 141. LINK (Via: KPCA)

R.I.P. - Utah Stream Access

A tip of the hat to all of you who made their voices heard regarding this flawed piece of legislation.

From Bryan Gregson at the Utah Water Guardians.

Subject: Gov will sign HB-141

Yesterday, we learned of the Gov's decision to sign HB141 today. Recognizing it's flaws he will ask the AG to not interfere with any injunctions. Outside of the issue, which has personal ramifications, the Governor support for a flawed process, closed door politics and for a bill that will eventually cost tax payers time and money, shows a glaring lack of leadership at a time when we can ill afford such.

Its a shady blow I think most of us saw coming... it just sucks to know your going to get punched in the face, and you got to just "take it" like a fisherman. Small defeat, but the long term will be an overall victory.

FISHERMEN AND FISHERWOMEN --->THANK YOU ALL!! Locals and non-residents alike!! In the end, we are all fishers, thanks for banding together and fighting along side us.

Bryan

Here's an interesting tidbit from the post mortem in yesterday's Salt Lake Trbune.

Governor Herbert's sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Steve Ault, own about a mile-and-a-half stretch of the lower Provo River, some of the premier fishing waters in the country, and were actively involved in lobbying the Legislature to pass HB141.

Mining issues closer to home...

CAVE JUNCTION -- Three years ago, Dave Rutan opened a gold mining retreat inside the Kalmiopsis Wilderness of southern Oregon, bringing in helicopters, gas-powered dredges and paying customers.

He did so without the permission county authorities say he needed.

Now he wants to commercially dredge miles of the Chetco, one of Oregon's purest rivers. He plans to helicopter in four-man crews to seek gold from the equivalent of nearly 50 truckloads of river gravel each season. Read more via Oregon Live...

Regrettably, we made several errors in the editing and presentation of this installment

ESPN has issued a correction on the story claiming, claiming Obama was going to ban fishing. Meanwhile, commenters open a can whup ass on the editor.

LINK

Other wingnuts are now pushing the story.

Support Your Right to Bear Fish

ESPN writer Robert Montgomery claims Obama is going to take away your right to go fishing.

Jeffrey Weeks explains why ESPN should be ashamed of themselves.

In what may be the worst example of outdoor sports reporting in the history of America, ESPN has claimed that President Barack Obama is on the verge of banning recreational fishing.

ESPNOutdoors.com writer Robert Montgomery posted an article today claiming that the administration's decision to end the public comment phase of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force means Obama is likely preparing to issue an executive order outlawing recreational fishing in America.

And yet, Robert Montgomery presents his case that it is about to happen as if it is the most likely thing in the world.

ESPN should have to provide some answer for why they allowed this irresponsible article to be published under their logo.

LINK (Via: Flyfish Magazine and Capt. Gordon's Fishing Reports)